EDD benefits during childcare transition - can I receive unemployment while searching for affordable daycare?

i turned down a job last year bcuz of childcare probs and got denied benefits... they said refusing work for childcare reasons isnt considered a "good cause" for UI. but it depends on ur specific situation & the EDD interviewer u get. good luck!!

This is a tricky situation. Under EDD rules, refusing work due to childcare issues can sometimes be considered "good cause" depending on specific circumstances. You'll likely need to participate in an eligibility interview where you should explain: 1. What specific efforts you made to secure childcare before the job start date 2. Whether the work hours were compatible with available childcare options 3. If you've investigated assistance programs like CalWORKs which has childcare subsidies For certification, answer honestly that you refused work, then explain the childcare situation when prompted. Regarding assistance, EDD doesn't directly provide childcare help, but you should look into: - California Alternative Payment Program (CAPP) - Child Care Resource and Referral (R&R) agencies - CalWORKs childcare subsidies (even if you're not on welfare) Document all your childcare search efforts in case you need to prove good cause.

When I had this same problem in 2021 I got totally disqualified and had to appeal!! The whole system is rigged against parents. They expect you to magically find affordable childcare in this economy? I had to wait 11 weeks before my appeal hearing and then STILL lost because I couldn't "prove" I had tried hard enough to find childcare. Such BS!!

My cousin had this exact same problem last year and she just didn't mention refusing the job offer on her certification. She kept getting benefits no problem. Just saying.

Have you tried getting through to an EDD representative to discuss your specific situation? They can sometimes provide guidance before you certify. I was in a similar situation last year and got conflicting advice online, but when I finally spoke with an actual EDD rep, they helped me understand exactly how to handle my certification. I tried calling for three days straight with no luck, then used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an EDD agent within 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km The agent I spoke with explained that I needed to be upfront about refusing work but provide detailed documentation about my childcare situation. This personalized advice made all the difference in my case.

I work for a non-profit that helps families navigate benefit systems. While everyone's situation is different, here's what you should know about childcare assistance: 1. EDD doesn't directly provide childcare assistance 2. Apply for CalWORKs Stage 1 childcare even if you don't qualify for cash aid 3. Contact your local Resource & Referral agency (R&R) ASAP - they help with subsidized care 4. Alternative Payment Programs can sometimes help with vouchers 5. For the UI issue, be honest but gather documentation showing childcare would cost more than 50-60% of your potential wages Your county's welfare department is the starting point - call them tomorrow morning!

sorry 4 commenting again but i just remembered somethin important - when you certify, if u select that u refused work, they WILL schedule an eligibility interview. its automatic. so be prepared 4 that. mine was over the phone and lasted like 25 mins.

This is actually a pretty common issue, especially since the pandemic. From my experience helping clients navigate EDD, here's what happens in your situation: 1. When you certify and disclose refusing work, you'll get an automatic eligibility interview (usually within 2-3 weeks) 2. During the interview, they assess whether your childcare issues constitute "good cause" based on: - The reasonable availability of childcare in your area - Whether the cost would exceed a reasonable percentage of your wages (typically 50%+) - Your documented efforts to secure childcare 3. The current EDD guidance (post-2023) is more lenient on childcare issues than in previous years One strategy: if you can secure childcare by the time of your interview, even if it wasn't available when you refused the job, emphasize that you're now able to accept suitable work.

I want to thank everyone for all this helpful information! I've been taking notes and have a much better plan now. I'm going to: 1. Contact my county welfare office about CalWORKs Stage 1 childcare 2. Reach out to the local R&R agency for subsidized options 3. Be honest on my certification and prepare for the eligibility interview 4. Gather all my documentation showing childcare costs and search efforts 5. Try to get through to an EDD rep for specific guidance on my situation I feel so much more prepared now. I'll update this thread once I've had my interview to let everyone know how it went!